Circular-knitting machine.



No. 640,769. Patented lan. 9, |900.

' H. A. HUUSEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led May 20, 1899A (No Model.) i0 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 640,700. I Patented 1an. 9, |000. H. A. HousEMAN.

cmcu'LAR KNITTING'MACHINE.

(Application filed May 20, 1899.) (No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 640,769. Patented Ian. 9, |900. H.A. HUSEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led May 20, 1899A (No Model.) I0 Sheets-Shaet 3.

Inventor.

Attorney,

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No. 640,769. Patented 1an. 9, |900.-

H. A. HousEMAN.

CIRGULARKNITTING- MACHINE.

'(Appuetipn med may go, 1899.)

(No Model.) v ID Sheets-Sheet 4,

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JQ" MM Q7/...Q7 ma@ Attorneyus No. 640,769. Patented lan. 9. |900.

H. A. HUSEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led May 20, 1899.) (ND Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 5.

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No. 640,769. Patented Jan.. 9, |900. H. A. HOUSEMAN. v

CIRCULAR K'NITTING MACHINE.

(Applicqtqn'med may 2o, lgis.) (No Model.) I0 Sheets-Sheet 6.

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No. 640,769. Paten-ted 1an. 9, |900. H. A. HousEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application med May 20, 1899.)

I0 Sheets-Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

Witnesses. d da@ 6M/4%# VW d. jm. #MMM /uug wm Tu: novum vncns moro-Limo.. wnsummu. o. c.

No. 040,709. Patented 1an. 9, |900.

H. A. HousEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led May 20, 1899.\ (N0 Model.) I0 Sheets-Sheet 8.

W tnesses.

Attorney Patented lan. 9, 1900. H. A. HOUSEMAN. CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application led May 20, 1899.\ (No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 9.

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No. 640,769. Patented 1an. 9, |900. H. A. HOUSEMAN.

CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application fled May 20, 1899.5 (No Model.) I0 Sheets-Sheet l0,

Witnesses. Inventor.

UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

HARRY A. HOUSEMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD MACHINE COMPANY, OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ClRV-CULAR-KNITTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent N. 640,769, dated January 9, 1900.

origina application died July 7, 189s, seiidi No. 685,303. Divided and itis application died May 20,1899. seiidi No.

717,666. (No model.)

To all whom it 17m/ 1] concern:

Beit known that I, HARRY A. HOUSEMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Circular-Knitting Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a ro part of this specification. v

My invention consists in certain improvements in circular-knitting machines designed for making tubular goods, and especially designed to make stockings.

I5 The improvements generally consist in the following: first, forming a stocking or tubular fabric havinga variety of colors and regulating at will a predetermined number of courses of any-colored thread and providing zo for any desired combination of color; second, adding a reinforcing-thread at the desired point in the formation of the fabric where the reinforced thread is used only in a portion of the course and yet maintaining the z 5 tension of the thread at all points of the course substantially uniform, and, third, removing the reinforcing-thread of the heel and toe at the desired point when its desired action is completed and bringingitinto action again at 3o the desired point.

I will first describe my invention as embodied in the machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings and then point out the same in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the machine with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a front view ofthe mechanism for controlling the thread-carriers. Fig.

4o 5 is a side view of the same. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the same. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the thread-carriers. Fig. 8 is a detail View of the pawl and ratchet-Wheels for operating the pattern-chain for controlling the mechanism for the thread-carriers. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the reinforcing-thread-controlling mechanism. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 11 is a detail View of the shears. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the clamp.

5o Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the mechanism for operating the reinforcing-thread-controlling mechanism. Fig. 14 is a detail section showing the connections for raising the cylinder when reinforcing the sole. Fig. 15 is a detail view of the pawl-holding mechanism. Fig. 16 is a detail plan View of gear-Wheel E6, cam h2, and a portion of large end H of the lever. Fig. 17 isa viewsimilarto Fig. 9,show ing the parts in position to feed both threads. Fig. 18 is a perspective View of block M. 6o

I will first describe that portion of my invention set out in clause first in the statement of invention. There is a class of stocking called striped,7 in which there are a plurality of colors formed by courses or stripes of different colors. This portion of my invention has for its object to produce this upon a circular-knitting machine automatically without stopping the machine. In the machine shown inthe drawings I accomplish this in 7o the following manner:

A is the driving-wheel on shaft a,connected with the source of power in the ordinary manner. Upon the shaft a is the bevel-gear A', meshing with the gear B,loose upon the shaft b.

B is a pinion upon shaft a meshing with pinion B2, to which is connected the connecting-rod B3, connected to lever B4, pivoted at one end to the frame of the machine and at the other end to the rack BS, which operates 8o the gear B5, loose upon the shaft b.

B6 is a gear fixed upon the shaft b and operates a gear on the cam-cylinder C.

O' is a clutch feathered upon shaft b and adapted to engage either gear B or gear B5, and according to which it is connected the cam-cylinder is rotated or reciprocated. The clutch is shifted automatically at the desired points through the action of the pattern-chain C1l and mechanism fully described in United 9o States Letters Patent issued to mevAprii 30, 1895, No. 538,518.

O3 is the needle-cylinder. f

D D D2 D3 D4l are a plurality of thread-carriers, through all of which an independent thread passes, except D, through which two threads pass, one of which is normally out of action, the purpose of which will be hereinafter fully described. These thread-carriers consist of levers pivoted to a carriage D, seroo cured ,to cam-cylinder C, so as to travel with it. The inner end oteach lever is formed in two parts, the part d d' di d3 d4, respectively, of each lever sliding on the other part. To one end of each thread-carrier lever is secured a vertical roller, (denoted, respectively, d6 d'1 d8 d d10.) Upon the other end of these threadcarrier levers are the pins d, each of which rests in a cam-slot Z13 in the carriage D6. This slot is inclined u pwardltT and toward the needle-cylinder. The rollers d d1" are arranged at different vertical heights and in the rotation of the cam-cylinder are carried between the walls of the cams E E', the cam E having at one point an inset c and the cam E' a projecting portion e' at a point in alinernent with said inset. The thread portions of the carrierlevers are normally beyond and above the line of the needles. The lever is thrown into action by its roller striking the projection e of cam E in the rotation of the cam-cylinder, which forces said roller so struck into the inset e, tilting the corresponding lever and depressing the lever into the same plane as the needle, the depressing of the lever causing the pin to drop in its slot, causing the movable end to move inward, bringing the thread end of the lever into operative position with reference to the needle. It is thrown out of action by removing the inset e and projection e from alinenient with the roller of said lever, so that in the rotation of the cam-cylinder it strikes the cam E, which forces it in the opposite direction, reversing the position of the corresponding lever and moving its thread end out of operative position. y

From the above description it is apparent th( t in the movement of the cani-cylinder the thread-carrier lever whose roller is in alinelnent with the inset e and projection e Will loe moved to operative position, or if previously thrown into operative position will remain so, while all the other levers will encounter the plain surfaces ci cams E and E and be thrown out of operative position or remain out of operative position, the projections e' and inset e being suiiicient for one roller only. In order to control at Will or in a predetermined manner the use of these different thread-carriers, Whose .thread may be of different colors, I Vprovide means for automatically and in a predetermined manner shifting the cams E and E to bring the inset e and projection e in alinenient with anyY of the desired rollers. These means are as ,follows: The cams E and E are secured to block E2, Fig. 4, which block E2 is supported upon rod E3, which is capable of vertical movement in guides e2 es. The lower end of this rod E3 rests upon the end of lever E1, pivoted at e1 to the frame of the machine. Connected to this lever, between itspivot-point and the rod E3, is the projection e5, which rests upon the surface of the pattern-wheel The surface of this Wheel is made up of plates e, which are detachahly secured to the wheel E5 and. According to the are of different heights.

ciones height of the plate e6, upon which the projection e5 rests, the elevation of the rod and the position of the inset e and projection c of cams E and E with reference to the rollers of the thread-carrier levers is determined, and hence the thread-carrier which is in action. By arranging these plates upon the wheel in a predetermined order in the rotation of the Wheel the thread-carriers will be thrown in and out of action according to this order, and thus combination of colors in the stocking may be obtained. Any arrangement desired may he made by placing the plates upon the Wheel to conform thereto. The pattern-wheel is moved to cause the shift of thread-carriers at the desired points in the construction of the fabric in the following manner: Secured to the bevel-gear B is the gear E, which meshes With'bevel-gear E7, to which a connecting-rod is Secured. The other end of the connecting-rod is secured to the rocking lever E8. Pivoted to said lever E8 are the two pawls e and 617. The patvl e113 Works in the ratchet E28, loose upon the shaft es, and also the ratchet E9, secured upon the saine shaft. Upon this shaft is wheel E10, carrying the striping pattern-chain E11. The teeth in the ratchet- Wheels E211 and Eg are in alineinentvvith each other, but alternate teeth upon ratchet E23 are higher than the teeth of the ratchet E, so that the pawl o16 acts upon the ratchet E9 only every other throw. This is done to avoid' a pattern-chain of too great length, and the striping pattern-chain is moved on alternate throws of the paWl.

The pavvl e1T Works in the ratchet E12, connected to wheel E5. This pawl is held out of action in the following manner: @10 isa rockshaft having the spring 611. Upon this shaft are the levers 212 and e113. The outer end of lever @12 rests against a piu @11 upon the pawl @Wand by the action of the spring @11 holds said pavvl out of engagement with the teeth of ratchet E12. The lever 613 is in alinernent with projections 915 upon the chain E11, and when struck by said projection the shaft n10 is rocked, causing lever 612 to be depressed, allowing the pawl e to engage the teeth and inove the pattern-Wheel. In order to prevent the pawl c from being forced out of action as soon as the projection e15 has passed and until said pawl has done its Work, l provide the following means: e2ri is a lever pivoted at e111, acted upon by spring e2?. When the lever @12 falls, the spring @21 turns the lever e2. Upon this vlever e211 is an inset e1, which on the turning of this lever e211 engages a pin e20 on lever e12 and locks said lever. When the pawl e17 is rocking forward and rocking the ratchet-Wheel e111, it strikes the lever c25, turning it on its pivot-point, releasing the pin e20 roo IOS

IIC

from the inset e1, and if the lever 613 is then By arranging the plates on the pattern-wheel I can at will arrange the color order, and by arranging the projections on the patternchain I can at will arrange the extent of any one color in the fabric.

The nekt portion of my invention consists in adding a reinforcing-thread at the desired point in the formation of the fabric when the reinforce-thread is used only in a portion of the course, and yet maintain the tension of the threads at all parts of the course substantially uniform.

It is often desirable to have the sole of a stocking of double thread, while the top of the foot is of single thread. This 'necessitates two threads in one portion of the course and one in the other.- If the tension were maintained uniform throughout this course, there would either be too great tension where the double thread was used or too little tension where the single thread was used. The purpose of my invention is to change the tension in the course, so that the portions with single and double thread will have like tension.

In addition to the thread-carriers D and D4 there is a thread-carrier D5, which is like the other thread-carriers, having a movable part d5 and roller du, but the roller d is in such position as not to be affected by the cams E E. Upon the frame of the machine on opposite sides are the cams G and G'. The cam G is a Xed cam and always in alinement of movement of roller du and of such shape as to lift the thread-carrier lever D5 and throw it out of action. The cam G is a movable cam, adapted to be moved in and out of alinement with the roller d, and its shape is such that when in alinement with the roller d the lever D5 is thrown into operative position. It thus may be seen that so long as the cam G is out of action the thread-carrier D5 is out of action throughout the entire course, but when the cam G is in action the thread-carrier D5 is in operation for half the course and out of action for the other half. I provide the following means for controlling this cam G and bringing it into action and moving it out of action at the desiredpoints. It is well known that in knitting stockings upon a circular-knitting machine irst a portion of tubular goods is formed, then the toe, then the foot, then the heel, and then the leg, the superliuous tubular portion before the toe being removed. It is also well known that when knitting the toe and heel the cam-cylinder is reciprocated, while in knitting the foot and leg it is rotated. The change from rotation to reciprocation in this machine is accomplished in the manner fully described in my Letters Patent No. 538,518, hereinbefore spoken of. Generally speaking, it is accomplished by shifting the clutch C' into engagement with either the rotating gear B or reciprocating gear B5. The shifting is accomplished by the clutch-rod G3, which in turn, by means of the rod g (to which it is connected) and the frame G4, to which the rod gis also conn ected, is in upward move-A ment of the frame operated to bring the clutch in engagement with the reciprocating gear and in the return movement is operated to bring the clutch in engagement with the rotating gear. The frame G4 in turn is operated bythe cam g in the manner fully described in my Patent No. 538,518. The cam G is supported by the rod'gworking in guides and capable of a vertical movement. Normally the rod is at such position that the cam G is above the line of movement of the roller d and is held there by the latch-dog G5, pivoted at gs and having the latch end g4 resting under the lever. The latch-dog G5 has also the cam-face g15. Connected to the clutchrod g is the arm g5, carrying the cam Q7, having projecting portions g8, which when the frame G4 is down is below the latch-dog G5 and rod g2, but when the frame is elevated,

which occurs at the beginning of the heel and toe, the cam Q7 strikes the cam-face 915, lifting the latch-dog G5, releasing the rod g2 from the latch-dog, but it is then prevented from falling by the projection g8 resting against the said rod. After the toe has been formed to change from reciprocation to rotation of the machine the frame G4 and clutch-rod g fall, allowing the rod g2 to descend and bring the cam G into alinement with roller du, and this eXtra thread is thrown in during half a a course by cam G and out of action by cam G for the other half of the course, the position of the cams being such that it is in action while the sole is knitted and out when the upper half of the foot is knitted. .lVhen the foot has been completed, the frame G4 lifts to change to reciprocation to knit the heel. In this movement the projection g8 lifts the rod g2, so that the cam G is ont of alinement with the roller du, and thus while knitting the heel the reinforce-thread is out of action. After the heel has been completed the frame again drops and the rod g2 drops, bringing the cam G into action. The leg is now being knitted and it not being necessary to reinforce the leg beyond t-he ankle the parts G', g2, and G5 are at that time brought to their initial position by the following means: Connected to the rod g2 is the arm 99, having at its free end the projection glo, which when the rod g5 is in its downward position is in alinement with a lug g11 on the regular pattern-chain, (which pattern-chain, its purposes other than this, and its mode of operation are fully described in my previous patent, No. 538,518,) which is set to strike it at this point in the knitting. When the lug g11 strikes the projection gw, it lifts it and the rod g2 above the latch end g4 of the latch-dog G5, and the latch-dog at that time being free from the cam g7 swings over and holds the rod in its upward position and the cam G out of alinement of roller du. Fig.

13 shows the high and low positions of the cam G' in full and dotted lines, respectively.

I will now describe how I obtain the proper tension on both parts of the course when the reinforce-thread is used as above described.

IOC

a cadres The needle-cylinder C3 is supported so as to be capable of vertical movement. The needlecylinder rests upon the pin 72 connected to the short end H of a lever pivoted at e4, the long end H' of which is bent and rests against the geanwheel E6. On this gear-wheel is the cam h2. A chain H2 is attached at one end to the projection Q9 on rod g2, passes under the idler h3, and is attached to the long end H of the lever. Then the rod g2 is lifted, the chain draws the long end H' of the lever out of alinement with cani h3 against the action of the spring h4, and when the rod g2 falls the spring h4 forces the long end II of the lever into alinement with the cam h2. (See Fig. 16.) The cam h2 is then at such position and of such extent as to elevate the lever H and pin k', and wi th it the needle-cylinder, during that portion of the course when the thread-carrier lever D5 is in action. This decreases the tension in that portion of the course where the two threads are used and increases it where the single thread is used.

I provide for the retention of the idle threads in my invention by the following mechanism: I have a plurality of thread-carriers, which may be the thread-carriers D to D5, heretofore described, one of which is in operative position and the others out of operative position. In those carriers out of operation the thread ends and their threads are within and above the needles, while the thread end and rits thread of the carrier in operation are in line with the needles.

F isa cam having a spiral face, the inner portion of the spiral being central of the needle-cylinder and the outer end being in alinement with the thread ends and threads of the carriers out of action, while the thread end and thread of the carrier in operation are beyond the outer end of said spiral. f is a projection from said cam F, which is secured to the carriage D5, and thus the cam revolves with the carriage.

In the operation of the machine any threads which are idle are caught by the end of the cam and moved into the center, the thread being stationary and held fixed on the last needle it was knitting. By the use ot this cam F there is no danger of any loose thread being caught in the needles to the hurt of the needles or the detriment of the fabric. The loss of thread is not great, as the only unknit thread after the slack is taken up is the make of the fabric between the point at which the thread was taken out of engagement with the needles and its return to the same, the loose threads being in the center of the fabric and after taking from the machine may be readily removed without affecting the fabric.

I will now describe the remaining portion of my invention, which consists in removing the reinforcing-thread of the heel and toe when its desired action is completed and bringing it into action again at the desired point.

It is customary in knitting stockings to knit the heel and toe with two threads, one of which, after the heel or toe is made is removed, in some cases by putting atension on it, which causes it to break. lilith this the thread was not apt to be broken at the same 'point at all times, which allowed an uneven amount of thread to he knitted after the thread was broken. Often the thread between the break and the eye becomes frayed, which when it is brought into action again made this fabric imperfect. I will -now describe my means for feeding this reinforcing thread, how it is severed at the end of its use, vand how taken out of and again brought into action.

In a pre viens part of the specification I stated that one of the thread-carriers D to D4 operated two threads. This is the threadcarrier D and always operates the color used in the heel and toe, (preferably the bodycolor,) as well as the heel and toe reinforcing thread, whose use I am now describing.

I to I5 are the cops carrying the threads for the thread-carriers D' to D5, respectively, and l*3 is the cop carrying the additional thread for the th read-carrier D. The frame carrying the cops I to I5 is connected so as to revolve with the cam-cylinder, while the frame carrying the cops I6 and I is stationary. The thread passes from the cop I through the guides it i2 "3 @"4 5 and through the eyelet is of the take up arm J, regulated by the spring y2 to the thread-carrier I). When the thread from cop lis used alone, (circular work,) the takenp arm .I is locked in the following manner: Projecting from the rod j is a lug f5, which rests on the longitudinal portion of said arm, preventing it from moving. The thread from the cop 716 (the heel and toe reinforcing thread) in its inactive position (shown in Fig. 9) passes through the movable guide K on the arm K', pivoted at la to stationary rod K2 and beyond the pivot-pointconnected to rod j. This thread then passes through guide k2 in the standard 71520 and between the members its 7a4, forming a clamp, the member k3 being movable and normally held closed by a spring 75M. Secured to rod j is a projection jg, which is below the movable member k3, so that when said rod j is lifted the clamp is released. The thread then passes under the lever L, pivoted at Z, and midway between the pivot-point and end of the lever passes through a lug E20, projecting from block M. The thread then passes through an orifice in a projection Z of the supporting-frame. The thread passes through a guide m' in the block M, which terminates in the longitudinal passage m in the block. (See Figs. 9 and l0.) In the position shown in the drawings the thread from cop I is below the thread from cop I, the thread from cop I being also held upward by one end of the bell-crank lever O. The other end of the bell-crank O has a slot in which rests a pin o, connected to lever P, pivoted at p. q q are a pair of cuttingblades, of which the movable member q has the pro- IOC IIO

jecting portion q2. A projection M2from the block M has the two pins m3, one of which is above and the other below the projecting portion q2. In the upward movement of the block M the pins separate the cutting-blades and in the descent of the block the pins close the cutting-blades.

Such being the parts of this mechanism and in the position shown in Figs. 9, 10, and ll,

vI will now describe the operation by which the thread from cop I6 is brought into action, thrown out of action, and severed.

The rodj rests upon or is connected to the rod g, and whensaid rod g is elevated, which occurs when the machine goes on to the heel or toe, this rod j is also elevated, and when the rod g descends in passing to circular work this rod j also falls. The lever P has a bifurcated or slotted end P11 surrounding the rod P between the adjusting-nuts p2. This rod P is capable of vertical movement and is connected to lever P2, pivoted at p3, and having the roller P3 resting on a cam P4, secured on the same shaft as cam g'. With the parts in the position shown in the drawings the roller rests on the high part of the cam. When the cam g operates to lift the frame, (for the heel or toe movement of the machine,) the lower part of the cam P4 is presented to roller P3 and the rod P drops. When the cam g operates to depress the frame, the high part of cam P1 is presented .to roller P3 and the rod is lifted. From this may be seen that by appropriate mechanism when the thread from cop I6 is to be used the rod j is elevated and rod P depressed, and when it is to be thrown out of action the rod j is depressed and the rod P elevated. The depression of rod lP causes the block M to be elevated and the upper end of the bell-crank O to be depressed and the cutting-blades opened. The depression of bell-crank O allows the thread from cop I to fall, and the elevation of the block, together with the lever L, which is connected to the block, lifts the thread from cop I and the two threads meet in the longitudinal passage min the block M. The lifting of the rod j releases the clamp member k3 and the takeup arm J. The upward movement of this arm also lifts the arm K', giving a slack to the thread from cop I6. The thread from cop I will then carry with it the thread from cop I6 and the two will together go into the carrier D,'

the take-up arm J operating in the usual manner. At the conclusion of the heel or toe the rod j falls and the rod P rises. The fall of rodj operates rod K to take up any slack in thread from cop I6, releases the clamp 16 of the thread from cop I, and closes the clamp 7c3 of thread from cop I6. The guide t" is formed in the reduced top of the standard Z520. A clamp 16 is adapted to press down over and around the reduced top and against the shoulder formed at the bottom of the reduced top. The clamp when in this position clamps the thread between it and the standard. The clamp 16 is connected with the take-up arm J by an extension thereof passing through an orifice in said clamp 16, as may be seen in Fig. 9. Therefore the fall of the rod j allows the clamp 16 to open when the take-up arm J is moved,the clamp i16beingclosed and opened by the rise and fall of the take-up arm J, the rodj locking it from movement in its downward position and allowing it to move in its upward position. At the same time the rise of rod P through the medium of block M draws ldown the thread from cop I6 between the cutting-blades, which by the pins on the block M are caused to close and sever the thread. The thread from cop I, by means of lever 0,*is lifted up to a point beyond the cutting-blades, so that it is not severed. The downward movement of lever L draws thread from the cop I6, so as to provide sufficient reinforcing-thread to enter the needles at the next movement. (See Fig. 9.)

I do not herein claim the mechanism and means for retention of the idle threads or threads not in use which is described and illustrated in this application, as the same is described and claimed in an application filed .by me July 7, 1808, Serial No. 685,303, and

which application also originally contained the matter described and claimed in this application.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

l. In a circular-knitting machine, in com- IOO bination, a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, 1

a vertically-movable guide through which thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread is connected' so as to move with said l guide, means for moving the thread-guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of which .is acted upon by said guide, means for actuating said movable guide whereby said thread is brought in alinement with said cutting device in the movement of the guide, and a clamping device through which said thread passes, said clamp having a movable .member and means for operating it in the movement of said guide, and a lever connected to said guide under which the thread passes.

2. In a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, a vertically-movable guide, through which thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread is connected so as to move with said guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of which is acted upon by said guide, means for moving the thread-guide and bringing said thread in alinement with said cutting device in the movement of the guide, and a clamping devicethrough which said thread passes, said clamp having a movable member and means for operating it in the movement of said guide and a lever connected to said guide under which the thread passes intermediate of the clamp and guide.

Y 3. In a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, a vertically-movable guide through which IIO thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread lis connected so as to move with said guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of Which is acted upon by said guide, said thread being brought in aiinement with said cutting device in the movement of the guide, an actuating-lever connected to said guide, reciprocating and rotating mechanisms for the cam-cylinder, and shitting mechanism for con trolling and reversing the connection between the cam-cylinder and said mechanisms, and connections between said lever and said shifting mechanism.

In a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, a vertically-movable guide through which thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread is connected so as to move with said guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of which is acted upon by said guide, said thread being brought in alinement with said cutting device in the movement of the guide, and a clamping device through which said thread passes, said clamp having a movable member operated in movement of said guide, an actuatingdever connected to said guide, reciprocating; and rotating mechanisms for the cam-cylinder and shifting mechanism for controlling and reversing the connection between the cam-cylinder and said mechanisms,

, and connection between said lever and said shifting mechanism and connection between the movable member oi said clamp and said shifting mechanism.

5. In a circular-knitting machine, in com.

bination, a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, a vertically-movable guide through which thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread is connected so as to move with said guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of which is acted upon by said guide, said thread being brought in` alinement With said cutting device in the movement of the guide, and a clamping device through which said thread passes, said clamp having a movable member operated in the movement of said guide, and a talreeup lever connected to said guide under which the thread passes, an actuating-lever connected to said guide, reciprocating and rotating mechanisms for the camcylinder, and shifting mechanism for'controlling and reversing the connection bet-Ween the cam-cylinder and said mechanisms and connection between said actuatingflever and said shifting mechanism and connection between the movable member of said clamp and said shifting mechanism.

6. In a circular-knitting machine, in combination a thread-carrier, a thread-supply, a vertically-movable guide through which thread passes to the carrier, and to which the thread is connected so as to move with said guide, a cutting device, the movable portion of which is acted upon bv said guide, said thread being brought in alinement with said cutting device in the movement of the guide, and a clamping device through which said thread passes, said clamp having a movable member operated in the movement of said guide, and a take-np lever connected to said guide under which the thread passes, and in termediatc of the clamp and guide, an actuating-lever connected to said guide, reciprocating and rotating mechanisms for the eamcylinder and shifting mechanism for controlling and reversing the connection between the cam-cylinder and said mechanisms, and connection between said actuating-lever and said shifting mechanism, and connection between the movable member of said clamp and said shitting mechanism.

7. ln a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread carrier, a plurality of threadfsupplies for said carrier, a vertically mot-able guide through which said threads pass to the carrier, one of said threads being connected so as to move with said guide, a lever over which the other thread passes, and means to simultaneously move said guide and lever to and from each other.

S. In a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread carrier, a plurality of thread-supplies for said carrier, a verticallymovable guide through which said threads pass to the carrier, one of said threads being connected so as to move with said guide, a lever over which the other thread passes, a lever as P, to which the lever and guide are connected, and means to operate said lever P.

9. In acircular-knitting machine, in combination, a thread-carrier, a plurality of threadsupplies for said carrier, a vertically-movable guide through which said threads pass to the carrie-r, one of said threads being connected so as to move With said guide, a lever over which the other thread passes, a lever, as l), to which the lever-.and guide are connected, rotating and reciprocating mechanisms, for the cam-cylinder, and mechanism to lshift the driving mechanism of the camcylinder from the reciprocating to the rotating mechanism, and connection between said leverP and said shifting mechanism.

l0. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotary cam cylinder, in combination, a thread-carrier adapted to be moved in and ont of action and rotate with the cam-cylinder, a cam on one `side of the machine to .throw the carrier out of action, and a movable cam on the opposite side to throw said carrier in action, a movable support for the movable cam, a locking device adapted to hold said support so that the movable cam will be ont of action, mechanisms for rotatf ing and reciprocating the cam-cylinder and means forshifting the driving mechanism from the rotating to the reciprocating mechanism and vice versa, a projecting rod con nected to said shifting means in alinement with said locking device, and adapted in its movement in one direction to release said locking mechanism, a projection from said rod in alinement with the movable camsupport.

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11. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotary cam-cylinder, in combination, a thread-carrier adapted to be moved in and out of action and rotate with the cam-cylinder, a cam on one side ot the machine to throw the carrier out of action, and a movable cam on the opposite side to throw said carrier in action, a movable support for the movable cam, a locking device adapted to hold said support so that the movable cam will be out of action, mechanisms for rotating and reciprocating the cam-cylinder and means for shifting the driving mechanism from the rotating to the reciprocating mechanism and vice versa, a projecting rod connected to said shifting means in alinement with said locking device, and adapted in its movement in one direction to release said locking mechanism, a projection from said rod in'alinement with the movable cam-support, a projection from the movable cam-support, a pattern-chain provided with a lug or lugs at the desired points adapted to strike said projections from the movable cam-snpport and elevate said support beyond the locking device.

12. In acircular-knitting machine, in combination, a plurality of independent threadcarriers radially placed, and a cam adapted when acting on a carrier to throw it into action, and means to bring said cam into operative position with reference io the desired carrier.

13. In a circular-knitting machine, in combination, a plurality of independent threadcarriers radially placed, and a cam adapted when acting on the carrier or carriers to throw said carrier out of action, and means to bring said cam into operative position with ,refer-4 ence to the desired carrier or carriers.

14. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotating cam-cylinder, in combination a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and out of action, and carried by the camcylinder, each carrier having an independent thread, and provided with projections, said projections being at different planes, cams between the faces of whichthe projections pass in the movement of the machine, saidA cam-faces at one point being adapted'to throw the carrier striking it into action, and at other points to throw the carrier striking it out of action, and means to bring the portion of said cam adapted to throw the carriers into action in line with the desired carrier.

15. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotary cam-cylinder, in combination, a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and out of action, carried by the cam-cylinder each carrier having an independent thread, and provided with projections, said projections being at different planes, cams between the faces of which the projections pass in the movement of the machine, said cam-faces at one point being adapted to throw the carrier striking it into action and at other points to throw the carrier striking it out of action, a pattern device and connection between said cams and said pattern devices whereby said cam is operated in a predetermined manner and the carriers thrown in and out of action in a predetermined manner.

16. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotating cam-cylinderin combination a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and out of action, carried by the cam-cylinder, each carrier having an independent thread, and providedwith projections, said projections being at different planes, cams between the faces of which the projections pass in the movement of the machine, said cam-faces at one point being adapted to throw the carrier striking it into action, and at other points to throw the carrier striking it out of action, a support upon which said cams rest, said support being adapted to move vertically, a pattern-wheel having projections of different heights, and a connection between said support and said wheel whereby in the rotation of the wheel the support and the cam are elevated to different heights corresponding to the projections on the wheel and on the carriers.

17. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotating cam-cy1inder,in combination, a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and out of action, carried by the cam-cylinder, each carrier having an independent thread and provided with projections, said projections being at different planes, cams between the faces of which the projections pass in the movement of the machine, said cam-faces at one point being adapted to throw the carrierstriking it into action, and at other `point-s to throw the carrier striking it out of action, a support upon which said cams rest', said support being adapted to move vertically, a pattern-wheel having projections of different heights, and connection betweensaid su pport and said wheel whereby in the rotation of the wheel the support and the cam are elevated to different heights corresponding to the projections on the Wheel and on the carriers, and a pattern-chain for controlling the rotation of said wheel.

18. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotating cam-cylinder, in combination, a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and out of action, carried by the camcylinder, each carrier having an independent thread, and provided with projections, said projections being at different heights, cams between the facesof which the projections pass in the movement of the machine, said cam-faces at one point being adapted to throw the carrier striking it into action, and at other points to throw the carrier striking it out of action, a support upon which said cams rest, said support being adapted to move vertically, a pattern-wheel having projections of different heights, a pivoted lever connected to said cam-support, an

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intermediate projection from said lever resting upon said projection on the pattern- Wheel.

19. In a circular-knitting machine, having a rotating cam-cylinder, in combination, a plurality of thread-carriers adapted to be thrown in and ont of action, carried by the cam-cylinder, each carrier having an independent thread, and provided .with projections, said projections being at dierent heights, cams between the faces of which the projections pass in the movement of the machine, said cam -faces at one point being adapted to throw the carrier striking it into action, and at other points to thronr the carrier striking it ont of action, a support upon which said cams rest, said support being adapted to move vertically, a pattern-Wheel having projections of different heights, a pivoted lever connected to said cam-support, an intermediate projection from said lever rest ing upon said projections on the pattern- Wlieel, and a pattern-chain for controlling the rotation of said wheel.

20. In a ci1'c'ular-knitting machine, in cornbination, a thread-carrier consisting of a pivoted lever, an extensible portion, a projection from said extensible portion, a stationary projection having a cam-slot in which said projection rests, a projection `from the main portion of the carrier, cam-faces between which the last-mentioned projection is adapted to pass in the operation of the machine, said cam-faces having a portion adapted to tilt the lever toward the needles, the projection from the extensible portion of the carrier being acted upon by the earn-slot during said tilting.

2l. In a circular-knitting machine, in com bination, a pattern-Wheel, a ratchet for driving the same, a rotary shaft, a pawl for operating said ratchet, connection between said pawl and the rotary shaft, a-disengaging de vice for holding said pawl ont of contact with the ratchet, a pattern-chain, a lug upon said chain, said disengaging device being in alineinent With said lug and adapted when struck by said chain to release said pawl, a pivoted lever provided with an inset held by said disengaging device, and adapted Ato swing when said disengaging device is acted upon, a pin n pon said disengaging device which said insetengages when the disengaging device is released by the pattern-chain, said lever being in line or" movement of said paWl When said pawl advances.

22. In a circular-knitting machine, in cornbination, a pattern-Wheel, a ratchet for driving the same, a rotary shaft, a pawl for operating said ratchet, connection between said pawl and the rotary shaft, a spring-acted disengaging device for holding said pawl ont of contact With the ratchet, a pattern-chain, a lug upon said chain, said disengaging device being in alinementwith said lng and adapted when struck by said chain to release said pawl, a spring-acted pivoted lever provided with an inset held by said disengaging device, the spring being of less strength than the disengaging-device spring and adapted to swing when said disengaging device is acted npon, a pin upon said disengaging device, which said inset engages when the disengaging device is released by the pattern-chain said lever being in line of movement of said pawl when said pawl advances.

In testimony of whichl invention l have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on this 12th day of May, 1899.

HARRY A. HOUSEMAN. 

